Presenter Information

Location

Start Date

End Date

Student's Major

Government

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Jacqueline Vieceli

Mentor's Department

Government

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

Over the recent years, there has been an alarming increase in the population of individuals infected with the HIV virus in the U.S; however, it is infecting African Americans at a disproportionate rate as compared to other ethnic groups. Statistically, blacks make up about 14% of the US population but account for over 50% of all new cases of HIV, a rate that is 8 times greater than that of whites. This research is geared to uncover the reasons behind the alarming rates of infection by assessing the social, economical and behavioral determinants of health among African Americans living in the US. It also seeks to understand if underlying factors such as gender and sexuality have a significant role to play in one’s level of awareness. The research was conducted by reviewing the literature of two documentaries. These two sources were used to assess knowledge of HIV/AIDS among African Americans as it pertains to the individual and their community. The results of the research were very disconcerting and indicated that many African Americans were oblivious to the consequences that HIV/AIDS had within the Black community. Lack of education, stigma, a “down-low” lifestyle, high rates of incarceration, violence and the disempowerment of women were some to the themes that came up repeatedly. Being aware of one’s status, knowing the risk factors and having an open discourse about the impact of the disease were key steps that need to be taken in order to break the silence of this epidemic.

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Apr 16th, 2:00 PMApr 16th, 4:00 PM

Breaking the Silence: Perceptions of HIV/AIDS Among African Americans in the United States

CSU Ballroom

Over the recent years, there has been an alarming increase in the population of individuals infected with the HIV virus in the U.S; however, it is infecting African Americans at a disproportionate rate as compared to other ethnic groups. Statistically, blacks make up about 14% of the US population but account for over 50% of all new cases of HIV, a rate that is 8 times greater than that of whites. This research is geared to uncover the reasons behind the alarming rates of infection by assessing the social, economical and behavioral determinants of health among African Americans living in the US. It also seeks to understand if underlying factors such as gender and sexuality have a significant role to play in one’s level of awareness. The research was conducted by reviewing the literature of two documentaries. These two sources were used to assess knowledge of HIV/AIDS among African Americans as it pertains to the individual and their community. The results of the research were very disconcerting and indicated that many African Americans were oblivious to the consequences that HIV/AIDS had within the Black community. Lack of education, stigma, a “down-low” lifestyle, high rates of incarceration, violence and the disempowerment of women were some to the themes that came up repeatedly. Being aware of one’s status, knowing the risk factors and having an open discourse about the impact of the disease were key steps that need to be taken in order to break the silence of this epidemic.

Recommended Citation

Vincent, Thomas. "Breaking the Silence: Perceptions of HIV/AIDS Among African Americans in the United States." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 16, 2013. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2013/poster-session-B/43